Memorial Day
Events
Memorial Day / Memorial Day Rally / PBS Special / POW WOW
Originally called Decoration Day after the Civil War (1861-1865), Memorial Day has been a day for Americans to remember those who lost their lives in service of their country.
After the Civil War ended in 1865, the country was in disarray. Families and lives were torn apart because of all of the fighting and destruction that had occurred. It is believed that Memorial Day began when two Civil War veterans saw a woman and her two children decorate the grave of a fallen soldier with flowers. The two veterans were so moved that they decided to decorate more graves with flowers. In 1868, General John A. Logan, commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, ordered that the 30th day of May be designated for the purpose of decorating graves of the war dead. General James Garfield spoke at the first national observance of Memorial Day on May 30, 1868.
For 100 years after that, Memorial Day was celebrated as a day for remembering those who had lost their lives in American wars. Then, in 1968, Memorial Day was officially changed to the last Monday in May. That's the way that it has been ever since.
"A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces, but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers." JFK Oct. 1963WE ---REMEMBER OUR -FALLEN COMRADES!
WILL YOU JOIN US?
Tell them of us and say,
For their tomorrow,
We gave our today."
"It is better to have lived
one day as a lion
than one thousand
days as a sheep."
To Save Veterans Health Care
Sunday, May 30, 1999
A memorial Day rally at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center to end the crisis in veterans health care. Military veterans and supporters will carry hand-painted placards protesting the drastic cuts in veterans health care.
Wilkes-Barre VAMC
1111 East End Boulevard
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711Members of Pennsylvania (State's) Congressional delegation and other officials have been invited to hear veterans' concerns and address the rally.
The nearly 51,000 (number) Pennsylvania (State's) veterans are deeply worried that the federal budget for veterans health care could be a recipe for disaster -- not just for the coming fisical year, but for decades to come. Years of tight-fisted federal budgets have forced drastic cuts in health care to local veterans, even as the demand for that care increases.
Contact: DAV NSO Office / DAV Department Office
Phone Number (215) 381-3065 / (717) 761-4060
Be There To Protect Veterans' Benefits!
DAV Website: http://www.dav.org/
A SALUTE TO THREE GENERATIONS OF AMERICAN HEROES:
PBSs NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT WEB-SITE
http://www.pbs.org/memorialdayconcert/
--Site Offers "Virtual Vietnam Memorial Visitors Book" and
Rarely-Seen Archival Footage of Kamikaze Attacks --
In honor of the powerful relationships forged in the heat of battle in Vietnam, the web site for PBSs critically-acclaimed National Memorial Day Concert offers a "Virtual Vietnam Memorial Visitors Book." Veterans are invited to submit special messages to honor the friends they served with in Vietnam. A printed version of the on-line sentiments will be placed at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. by a special contingent of Vietnam veterans. The National Memorial Day Concert airs on Sunday, May 30 at 8:00 p.m. ET (check local listings). The concert web site can be accessed at << http://www.pbs.org/memorialdayconcert/ >>.
Also featured on the site:
- A look at the history of the Navys last and most costly battle in the Pacific during World War II with rare footage of kamikaze attacks;
A chance to learn about -- and catch audio highlights of -- selected songs linked with major wars of this century; Information about the popular Washington, D.C.-based live holiday concert, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year; Photographs of featured performers from this years concert and images from previous events; A list of resource organizations -- with hyperlinks to each site -- where visitors can link with other veterans, check on survivor benefits, share and cope with war-related experiences and more; An e-mail link with the producer for those who wish to comment on this years program; and Background information for members of the press, including press releases and bios of this years performers: General Colin Powell, Aaron Neville, Ossie Davis, Judd Hirsch, Charles Durning, Rita Moreno, John Schneider, Michael Tucker, Jill Eikenberry, Richard Crenna and Jamie OHara, conductor Erich Kunzel, and the National Symphony Orchestra. Also featured are the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff and color guards from each of the armed service organizations.
Veterans Memorial POW WOW
The Veterans of the Vietnam War Post NY-14 in conjunction with the Northeastern Native American Association will be holding a Pow Wow. THis event will take place on Saturday May 29th and Sunday May 30th, from 10AM to 6PM at the Kings Park High School Soccer Field, ROute 35A, Kings Park, New York. There will be arts & crafts, trader booths, raffles, martial arts expos, giveaways, contests and PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. The Grand Entry Ceremony will be held at 12:00 noon booth days.
Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Last modified 05/27/99